Published: Friday, December 28, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 28, 2012 at 10:40 p.m.

A traffic backup had halted her. From behind, a truck careened out of control, sending its trailer onto her Honda, killing her. She had just turned 21.

Huckaby died on Jan. 2, 2004, one of 11 fatal crashes that resulted from 273 accidents during a five-year period studied by the state. Officials used that study to justify a planned $239 million improvement designed to make the route safer.

"I definitely think there is a need for making improvements in that area," said Missy Clark, Huckaby's sister, who was talking to her sister on the phone when the crash occurred.

The Florida Department of Transportation is now embarking on the purchase of rights-of-way to improve the stretch of I-95 used to get to the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach International Airport and other landmarks along International Speedway Boulevard. The state recently announced construction is slated for 2020, although the date could be moved ahead or back, depending on the availability of funds, according to Steve Olson, spokesman for the state DOT's District 5 office in DeLand.

Among the biggest improvements: The left exit from I-4 eastbound onto I-95 northbound will be changed to a right exit.

Construction can't come soon enough for the family of Huckaby, an Orange City resident who was on her way to what was then known as Daytona Beach Community College almost nine years ago.

The ramp where Huckaby was headed — a left that curves sharply over and then adjoins I-95 — is being redesigned to become a right-exit with a longer loop. Troopers who cover crashes there will welcome that change, according to Sgt. Kim Montes, a spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol.

"The troopers that work that area say the eastbound I-4 to northbound I-95 is more of an issue with drivers still taking the curve too fast," Montes said in a recent email.

Another problem with that ramp, in particular, is that it is a left exit.

Olson said the trend in improving the state's highways is to go away from left exits to a more standard right exit. The I-4 widening project that's now under way west of Daytona Beach includes a similar change for the exit toward U.S. 92, and similar changes are being made in the Orlando area, Olson said.

Jon Cheney, director of traffic engineering for Volusia County, said the change will add a measure of safety to interstate travel.

"In Florida, drivers have the expectation to exit on the right," Cheney said. "The driver expects that typically while you're on the interstate, you'll always exit on the right side. You don't typically exit on the left side."

Also, motorists using the left lane generally consider that the "fast lane," and they don't expect to see slower-moving vehicles pulling in front of them, Cheney said.

The improvements also are being made because congestion in the area is expected to build during the next 25 years, Olson said.

"The purpose is to accommodate increased traffic for the year 2035," Olson said. "Safety improvements are always a priority."

In addition to 11 fatalities during the five years ending in 2005, the crashes along that stretch of I-95 caused 263 injuries, the study showed. The economic loss due to the crashes was $43 million, according to the study.

Since that study, the state Department of Transportation took steps to slow traffic down on the I-4 ramp to northbound I-95, closing one of two lanes.

Two other noteworthy changes are planned.

First, the ramp from westbound U.S. 92 to southbound I-95 will be realigned to enter the interstate from the right, rather than the left.

This will alleviate a concern that officials have with "weaving," as described by Lois Bollenback, interim executive director of the Volusia Transportation Planning Organization. As it is now, motorists trying to go from 92 to I-4 westbound via I-95 are required to cross at least three lanes of I-95 in a short span.

Also, I-95 between Beville Road and U.S. 92 will be separated into local and express lanes, with exiting and entering the interstate limited to the local lanes.

The improvements will provide a direct economic benefit to Volusia County in the form of construction jobs, said Rob Ehrhardt, manager of the Volusia County Economic Development Department.

"It's hard to know what impact this interchange improvement will have on the value and economic development potential of the immediately adjacent parcels," Ehrhardt said. "However, we anticipate long-term economic development benefits to the surrounding businesses and communities that would likely stem from improved transportation features and increased traffic."

He expects improved travel for business operations, freight movement and commuting workers.

Kerry Symolon, director of Team Volusia Economic Development Corp., a public-private partnership group formed to lead efforts to recruit employers to Volusia County, said access and transportation infrastructure are usually among the most critical needs for a business prospect.

"So we do believe these infrastructure improvements will provide added marketability for the area," she wrote in an email.

Most important, though, is making the road safer, a goal embraced by the family of Heather Huckaby.

Clark, who now lives two hours south in Port St. Lucie, has noticed how some lanes in South Florida are designated for trucks while others ban them. She believes that is another change that could be considered statewide.

Clark gave birth to her first daughter the day after her sister died. She still thinks about her loss every day.

"She was the rock of our family, the glue. She would be helping me with my kids, maybe having her own kids. I could be an aunt. I think she would have gone on to the RN program. She ultimately wanted to be a nurse in pediatrics," Clark said. "She would still be my best friend."

Following are costs associated with the I-95 interchange project now scheduled for 2020 (estimates are in 2020 dollars):

- $180.3 million -- construction

- $19.8 million – construction engineering and inspection

- $38.7 million – right-of-way purchases

- $238.8 million – total cost

Source: Florida Department of Transportation

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